Mamaluke a new ‘mob-centric’ TV show

Ben Fiore created the series “Mamaluke,” which is set to debut its second episode in early May.

Courtesy Ben Fiore

By Brian Croce

What if you were offered a new TV show to watch that you couldn’t refuse? What if you could “fugetabout” the horse’s head that was placed under your bed sheets and enjoy watching this new show with your friends and family instead?

Valley Stream resident Ben Fiore is the creator of a mob-centric new show called “Mamaluke,” but it’s not like any mafia-driven film or show you’ve seen before: it’s a comedy.

Mamaluke is a series about a man named Lou, played by Johnny “Roastbeef” Williams, who tries his best to come across as a member of the mob, but he’s actually just an errand boy at the social club where the real “wise guys” hang out.

Fiore, who stared screenwriting 15 years ago, came up with the idea for the series in 2005. He told his friend Mark Riccardi, a Hollywood stuntman who was getting into the world of production, about the idea. After Fiore showed Riccardi the pilot, the two hammered out the details and worked to get funding for the project. About a year ago, Fiore got a call that said Glenn Callahan, now an executive producer on the show, wanted to fund it.

The cast was then assembled, with Williams, who has appeared in mainstream movies including “Goodfellas” and “The Mask,” set to play the lead character. Fiore said Williams embodies the character he envisioned perfectly.

The pilot was filmed last July in Los Angeles, and although Fiore couldn’t make the trip out there, he was kept in the loop throughout. He said 3,000 miles is a lot closer than it used to be with text messaging, emails and conference calls.

When it was completed, the pilot was posted online last Thanksgiving and the response has been steadily positive. “It’s thrilling having come up with this concept and having worked so hard with everyone involved,” Fiore said, “and it’s the greatest compliment to hear that it should be on Showtime or HBO.”

Fiore said the plan for the series is to film, edit and produce three full-length episodes, come up with several synopses and loglines for future episodes and begin shopping the show to network and cable stations.

Fiore, who has lived in Valley Stream since 1967 and graduated from South High School in 1977, said his wife, Marci, has been a constant source of inspiration in his writing career.